Weldon E Howitt High School - Hi Life Yearbook (Farmingdale, NY)

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Students Seek Free Period Haven H Above: A student utilizes a bench in the Commons as a free period nap site. A particularly impressive part of the school building is the Commons, a spacious area created for the sole purpose of “hang- ing out.” It is a handsome conglomeration of numer- ous materials and geomet- ric shapes. Its walls are fre- quently plastered with cam- paign signs, play advertise- ments, or colorful holiday decorations. The triangular enclosures on either end of the Commons make perfect display areas for Christmas LEGAL LOITERING “I like the Commons because all my friends are here. This is where all the jocks hang out — Scott Oggeri, senior. “ You walk into the Commons and all you feel are eyes looking at you” — Rich Guarino, senior. “If you hang out in the Commons you get classified as belonging to a certain group — Barbara Camp, junior. '7 don't hang out in the Commons; I stay in the cafe- teria where it’s safer — Frank Gannon, senior

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Above, Far Left: The library provides a quiet haven for Lisa Silverstein and Mary Rutkowski to finish their homework. Above: In his search for material for his term paper. Buddy Siclair is aided by Mrs. Dorothy Partridge Left: Doreen Meinck presents her ID card to Eleanor Ward in order to check out a book. primary use is probably for studying, the library’s friendly but quiet atmo- sphere, comfortable chairs, and large supply of maga- zines make it an enjoyable place to sit back and forget the hustle and bustle of the day. “The library’s really as nice a place as the Com- mons,” Frank Gannon com- mented. “It’s a lot quieter. When you have work to do there are ample resources, but when you just want to relax, you know you won’t be disturbed.” Much of what goes on in the library is not academic. People meet there to talk quietly about school friends or the latest fashions in one of the many magazines. Decorated with book dis- plays and art reproductions, the library is also equipped with records, cassettes, filmstrips, and tapes which are available for enjoyment as well as study. The librar- ians are willing and eager to help, and sometimes even the teacher on duty becomes a familiar charac- ter, available for help or conversation. Aside from all its other advantages, the library still remains the best place in which to study and catch up on homework. It’s 27,757 books and extensive audio-visual system provide indepth research materials and information. Students come to the li- brary for various reasons, but once they are there they seem to enjoy them- selves and quickly learn to take advantage of all it offers. I can study there better than anywhere else in the school,” Amy Walsh said, “and it's the nicest place I know to relax.” 19

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Top Left: Janet Yabroudy and Kerri Ward relax in Commons on Green and White Day. Top Right: The Commons tends to be most crowded during lunch periods. Above: Lori Heller and Steven Kirk await customers to buy pretzels. trees. During the day, the glass walls permit the open space to be flooded with natural light. The Commons was origi- nally intended to provide students with a gathering place where they could spend their free periods, eliminating the need for tra- ditional study halls. Stu- dents are virtually unrest- ricted in the Commons and its surrounding areas, which include the library, bathrooms and cafeterias. This induces a completely uninhibited atmosphere, which is a pleasant relief from the classroom situ- ation. In the Commons, one can observe a lot about human behavior — as senior Jack Abuhoff put it, I just watch the crazy people walk by.” A discernible phenomenon seems to be the decline of distinct social categories. In the past, students had bro- ken themselves up into vari- ous social subdivisions, each staking out some part of the Commons as its pri- vate territory. Recently, however, the student popu- lation has allowed itself to become less segregated (with one rather large ex- ception!) There are a few pastimes that are unique to the Com- mons, such as chucking pennies across the floor, and a rather annoying prac- tice in which someone has his name called from across the room, but as he looks up the caller looks aways and the victim is left throughly confused. The Commons is more than just a daytime haunt for students, however. Its sheer size makes it the ideal location for a number of activities. Dalerette and occasional cheerleader practices are held there, and it is the traditional site of the Inaugural Ball and Dress Down Day. Serving a large variety of purposes, the Commons stands as a symbol of the freedom granted by the ad- ministration, and as an area set apart for the students to talk to friends in a relaxed atmosphere. 21